My First Dollar Tree Trip Using Coupons!

I made my first couponing trip today to Dollar Tree!
It's a rather small trip but still exciting!

My cashier had never entered coupons so she had to learn, I had plenty of time and I was the only person on the store so I didn't mind the wait.
The manager asked why I was doing separate transactions. I explained that since I had almost all printable Qs I could only use 2 per transaction. The manager was sooo happy that I knew the policy that she called me the "honest shopper". It was nice to use coupons and be praised for knowing a stores policy for once. :)

My trip (broken into 3 transactions)

Colgate 4 oz
Minus $.75/1 Q
$.25

Olay Body Bar
Minus $1/1 Q
FREE

2 Efferent Denture cleaners
Minus (2) $1/1 Q
FREE

2 Garnier Product
Minus (2) $1/1 Q
FREE

4 Luden's Cough Drop
Minus (2) $1/2 Q
$.50 each: $2

Total Worth at DT: $10
Total Spent: $2.25

I am going back tomorrow for some more! Love this! :)

Since we are still "evacuated" and I didn't bring my coupons I only have printable coupons to use, so I'm definitely satisfied with my trip! :)

FREE Lay's Potato Chips!

Today before we brought my great niece Camille home I caught wind of an AMAZING Lay's coupon.
So of course I printed 3 of them! :)

I had originally printed them to use with the BOGO Free sale at Walgreens.

That deal would have looked like this:
2 Lay's Chips: $4.29 each
Sale: BOGO Free
Minus $3/2 Q
$1.29 for 2 bags of chips

Such a great deal but when we stopped by the Wags in Zachary they only had one bag left so we went to Walmart.
I had originally planned to price match to Wags, but when I got to Walmart I saw that they had Lay's for only $2.68 each and along with the $3/2 Q that I printed I also printed the $3/1 Q!
That made for FREE plus overage!

3 Lay's Chips: $2.68 each: $8.04
Minus (3) $3/1 Q ($9)
FREE plus $.96 overage!!

Total Worth: $8.04
Total Spent: Nothing plus $.96 back!

I really wish I would have printed more before I left (since I have access to 3 computers). I tried to print some more when I got back to my parents house but they were all gone. :(

Oh well. I'm still very satisfied with my 3 FREE bags of chips! (they are the big bags. Not small ones)

My CVS Trip! :)

I was excited to see the sale and ECB deal for Organix shampoo and body wash! (as if I need anymore sulfate free shampoo)

So I was even MORE excited when I realized that the ECBs were rolling!

While Jonathan and I were stocking up on bottled water in preparation for Isaac I decided to grab 2 bottles of Organix shampoo since I had my coupons with me.

Transaction 1:
Organix Shampoo: $7.99
Sale: $4.99
Minus $2/1 Q
$2.99
Received: $1 ECB

Transaction 2:
Organix Shampoo: $7.99
Sale: $4.99
Minus $2/1 Q
Minus $1 ECB
$1.99
SURPRISE! Received: $1 ECB

I didn't realize I was going to make another trip to CVS so I used the $1 ECB on the bottles of water Jonathan was getting. :)
But after I got home I just couldn't not go back and get some more shampoo, and a razor for Jonathan! So I did!

1 Gillette Fusion ProGlide: $10.99
Minus $4/1 Q
3 Organix Shampoo: $7.99 each: $23.97
Sale: $4.99 each: $14.97
Minus (3) $2/1 Q
Minus $10 ECB (from last week)
Minus $4/$20 CVS Q
Total: $1.96

Total Worth: $34.96
Total Spent: $1.96
Received: $8 ECB
$5 ECB from Gillette, $3 ECB from Organix!

Another Trip to Albertson's!

I can't believe I missed this great deal on Silk Almond Milk when I went to Albertson's on Thursday! So good thing I went to Baton Rouge today to meet a friend for lunch!

Since I was going back I just couldn't pass up getting some more cereal since they have such a great deal on it! And for all of you who are doing the math yes, I now have 8 boxes of cereal!
But....like I said it really is a great deal AND they don't expire until NEXT August! And I love eating them as snacks! :)

So here is what I got:

Cheerios: $4.39
Sale: $1.88 wyb 4
Minus $.60/1 Q
$1.28

Apple Cinnamon Chex: $3.79
Sale: $1.28 wyb 4
Minus $.60/1 Q
$1.28

2 Cinnamon Toast Crunch: $3.49 each: $6.98
sale: $1.88 wyb 4
Minus (2) $.60/1 Q
$1.28 each: $2.56

2 Silk Almond Milk: $3.49 each: $6.98
Sale: $1.99 w/ in-store Q
Minus (2) $1/1 Q
$.99 each: $1.98

Total Worth: $22.14
Total Spent: $7.10

I wish I had more coupons for the Silk! I would have totally stocked up on those too! But I'm still satisfied with my trip! :)

My Albertson's Trip.

After class today I decided to run by Albertsons on my way home!

Great thing about being in baton rouge on Wednesdays and Thursdays: I get to shop at Albertsons.
Bad thing about being in baton rouge on Wednesdays and Thursdays: the new sales start on Wednesday so if I want to make sure to get the best deals I will have to haul my coupons around in my car. Or shop with only printable coupons like I did today!

Now on to my trip.

2 Cheerios: $4.39 each: $8.78
Sale: $1.88 wyb 4 GM Cereals.
Minus (2) $.60/1 Q
$1.28 each: $2.56

2 Apple Cinnamon Chex: $3.79 each: $7.58
Sale: $1.88 wyb 4 GM Cereals.
Minus (2) $.60/1 Q
$1.28 each: $2.56

2 Right Guard Deodorant: $2.99 each: $5.98
Sale: $1.49
Minus $2/2 Q
$.49 each: $.98

2 Right Guard Deodorant: $2.99 each: $5.98
Sale: $1.99
Minus $2/2 Q
$.99 each: $1.98

2 Totinos Frozen Pizza: $1.39 each: $2.78
Sale: $1
Minus (2) $1/1 Q
FREE!

Total Worth: $31.10
Total Spent: $8.08

It's a super small trip but since I was limited to only using printable Qs I'm happy!
And I got free pizza and super cheap cereal! :)

Dinner on a Dime: Tortilla Soup.

Before I go into the details of tonight's dinner on a dime/soup of the week let me clarify something.
I have had some people tell me that they can't make these meals for this cheap for whatever reason.
These meals are cheap for me because I choose recipes that I have at least 50% of the ingredients already.
That's all part of meal planning AND couponing. Planning meals based on what's on sale (and you have coupons for) and what you already have in your pantry.
My pantry is pretty commonly stocked so you may find that like me, you have most of the ingredients that are needed for the meals that I post. But if not, I still try not to choose recipes with expensive ingredients. :)

Now, onto tonights dinner on a dime which also happens the soup of the week!

Tonight we made Tortilla soup with white and black beans instead of chicken!
It was so delicious, and of course CHEAP! :)

Ingredients:
1/4 cup oil
Jalapeño
Onion
2 carrots
6 celery stalks
1 can black beans
1 can white beans
1 can corn
1 can tomatoes
6 cloves garlic
Red pepper flakes
Cumin
Paprika
Lemon pepper
5 cups Veggie stock
Cilantro (optional)
Lime juice from 2 limes (optional)
1/2 cup flour
Shredded cheese

Heat oil and sauté chopped onion, celery, garlic, and carrots for 5 minutes.
Add paprika, red pepper flakes, cumin, lemon pepper, some salt, and flour.
Cook until flour is dissolved.
Add broth, cilantro, and juice of 1 lime.
Let simmer for 30 minutes to an hour.
Add cheese and juice from the last lime.
Serve with tortilla chips and enjoy!
We also added a dollop of sour cream to our bowls!

Cost tally:
Celery: $1.29
Jalapeño: $.14
Can tomatoes: $.62
Can black beans: $.90
Veggie stock: $1.98
2 Limes: $.40

Total: $5.33

Wow! And it made so much that we ate dinner tonight, I will have enough for 4 lunches and possibly leftovers again! All for $5.33! :)

My Winn Dixie Trip!

My Winn Dixie shopping has been VERY sporadic lately!
But I think it has a lot to do with the sales. I personally think they have better sales in the Fall/Winter. But that's just me.

Either way, I'm very satisfied with my trip today! :)

Here is what I got:

(6) Kibbles 'N Bits 4lb: $6.29 each: $37.74
Sale: BOGO FREE (-$18.87)
Minus (6) $1 Q

Celery: $1.79
Sale: $1.29

Smart Balance Milk: $4
Sale: $3
Minus: $1.50 Q

(4) Gushers: $3.29 each: $13.16
Sale BOGO FREE (-$6.58)
Minus (2) $.60/2 Q

(2) Eggo Waffles: $3.29 each: $6.58
Sale: BOGO FREE (-$3.29)
Minus $1/2 Q

(4) Chi-Chi's Tortillas: $2.49 each: $9.96
Sale: BOGO FREE (-$4.98)
Minus (2) $1/2 Q

Minus $5/30 Q from Miami Enjoy the City Book

Total Worth: $73.23
Total Spent: $22.02

I saved $51!!!! :)
I love saving at grocery stores!

My CVS Paper Goods Trip!

After spending the past week in Orientation at LSU I was excited to go couponing!

CVS has some good deals this week, but I wasn't in need of anything except paper towels. We are on our last roll!
So I was super excited to see that the Scott Paper towels were part of the buy $30 get $10 ECBs!

I also had $5 ECBs and a 25% off coupon to use!

So here is what I got:

(4) Scott 6 pk Paper Towels: $7.49 each: $29.96
Sale: $4.99 each: 19.96
Minus (4) $1.25 Q

Scott 12 roll Bath Tissue: $10.99
Sale: $6.77
Minus $1.25 Q

(2) Kleenex 186 count: $2.27 each: $4.54
Sale: 2/$3
(2) Kleenex Cool Touch: $2.57
Sale: 2/$3
Minus $.50/3 Q

Minus $8.16 (25% off Q)

Minus $5 ECB

Total Worth: $45.49
Total Spent: $12.80
Received: $10 ECB!

It's like I got all of this for only $2.80! :)

Homemade Cold Medicine- Thank You Pinterest!

Let me begin by saying that this is a recipe (and photo) that I have gotten from Pinterest!

The other day I ran across this Pin and was SO excited about it.
Once the weather begins to change Jonathan is ALWAYS sick since his job requires him to go in and out of peoples warm homes so often, he gets colds like crazy!
I'm confident that we spent well over $100 last year in cold medicine. (OUCH!)

I have never been a big believer in home remedies (I guess that's what 27 surgeries does to someone, you learn to rely on modern medicine).
But after reading everyone's positive feedback I had to save this "recipe" and give it a shot the next time one of us gets a cold.

Well, whether it's this whole "being a woman" thing or the fact that I keep my home FREEZING cold inside even though it's 100 degrees outside I woke up with a nasty cough and stuffy nose.
And what was my first thought when I woke up feeling so awful!?!? YAY, I get to try the homemade cold medicine!
So I did.
And I am a BELIEVER!!!
It is very spicy, but before I could finish swallowing it my nose was cleared!

It only requires 4 items that you probably ALREADY have in your pantry!!! (and water.)

1/4 t Cayene
1/4 t Ginger
1 T Apple Cider Vinegar
2 T water
1 T Honey

Dissolve Cayene and Ginger in Cider Vinegar and water. Then add the honey, shake, and feel better!

It makes a small amount but since none of the ingredients require to be refrigerated I doubles the recipe and put it in a tiny Tupperware container so I don't have to mix some up the next time we need it!

You can find the wonderful blog this recipe came from HERE

I am so happy I found this! And if you decide to pass this on remember to give all the credit to Nancy! :)

Dinner on a Dime: Tuscan Vegetable Soup!

Tonight's dinner on a dime is of course our soup of the week! :)
I'm sure you are wondering why I have been making so much soup lately...especially since it is still "summer" (so ready for Fall...if you can't tell)
Well soup is one of the few meals that I LOVE just as much (if not more) as leftovers!
So it makes a PERFECT lunch for me whether I'm at home or at work (thanks to my amazing soup travel mug from Bed Bath and Beyond).

With this being said...Jonathan makes sure that I always have soup in the fridge since he loves the fact that it has me wanting to eat leftovers. :)

So tonights meal, Tuscan Vegetable Soup, was super easy and super good! And of course, easy on the wallet! :)

Ingredients:
Kale
Onion
Carrots
Celery
Bell peppers (not in the recipe but how can I cook anything with onions without peppers?)
28 oz can plum tomatoes
7 cups veggie stock
4 cloves garlic
1 can Cannelloni beans
Seasoning (I used red pepper, cayenne pepper poultry seasoning)

You can find the recipe HERE!

My cost:
Veggie Broth: $1.98
Kale: $.96
Beans: $.68
Tomatoes: $.90

Total: $4.52
wow! Less than $5 for a whole weeks worth of soup!
This makes enough for Jonathan and I to have dinner 2 nights plus lunch for me everyday! :)

My Rite Aid Trip!

After returning from our wonderful Staycation in NOLA I had to run to the store to pick up some things for Dinner on a Dime tonight!
So I decided to stop by Rite Aid and pick up some FREE L'Oreal shampoo!

Here is what I did:

Transaction 1:
2 L'Oreal Ever Cream Shampoo: $5.99 each- $11.98
Minus (2) $2/1 Q
Minus $8 +UPS
FREE
Received: $5 +Ups

Transaction 2:
2 NYC eye liner: $.69 each- $1.38
L'Oreal Ever Sleek Shampoo: $5.99
Minus $2/1 Q
Minus $5 +Ups
Total: $.38!!

Total Worth: $19.35
Total Spent: $.38

I am so excited! But with this trip effectively puts an end to me getting anymore shampoo! (even if it is sulfate free)
I now have 18 bottles of sulfate free shampoo. Enough to last me A WHILE! :)

My Albertson's Trip!

Before I met my mother this morning to go clothes shopping in Baton Rouge I decided to run by Albertson's since I only had one thing on my list.
This week the 6 pack of Propel Zero bottles are on sale for $2.49 then when you buy 4 you get an additional $4 off making them only $1.49 a 6 pack.
Well if you have your coupons from 6/10 there is a $1/1 Propel Q making them only $.49 per 6 pack!
WOW!!
I was so excited! :)

Here is the breakdown:
4 Propel Zero 6 Pack: $4.79 each
Sale: $2.49 each
Minus $4 for buying 4
Minus (4) $1/1 Q
Total: $1.96!!! Or $.08 per bottle!

Total Worth: $19.16
Total Spent: $1.96
I saved $17.20!

Dinner on a Dime: Rosemary Potato Frittata

Tonight Dinner on a Dime was super easy and affordable! And not to mention delicious! :)

The recipe came from Rachel Ray's show on Food Network 30 Minute Meals. And that it was!

As Rachel Ray mentions in the episode where this recipe is featured what is cheaper than eggs and potatoes!?!
You most likely have them in your pantry already!
I had the potatoes, but not the eggs but that is all I had to buy!
So this meal only cost me $1.58 for a dozen of super large eggs!
WOW!! :)

Ingredients:
12 eggs- beaten
1 lb baby potatoes (I used russet and just pealed them before cutting them up)
1 small onion (or half of a large one)
1/2 milk, half and half, or cream
2-4 sprigs of rosemary (I used some of our fresh rosemary!)
1/4 cup Olive Oil
1 clove garlic
Cheese

Super easy...in a oven safe skillet sauté potatoes and onion and add the rosemary, salt and pepper. When the potatoes are tender beat the eggs with the milk/cream. Add the eggs to the skillet and stir. Cook for about 5 minutes on the stove then transfer to a 450 degree oven for 12 minutes. When it's done sprinkle some cheese and eat!
And TAH-DA! A wonderfully delicious and cheap meal! :)

You can find the recipe HERE!

FREE Accu-Chek Nano!

So this week at ALL of the drug stores you can get the Accu-Chek Nano Blood Glucose meters for $9.99.
Well...there is this AWESOME $10 coupon from this past weeks paper that makes them FREE!!

Now I really try not to get things just because they are free but I totally did this time.
But, I do know some people that can use them.

I ended up going to 3 different stores to get the 4 meters.
2 CVS and a Right Aid.
(I didn't want to shelf clear anywhere)
And at Rite Aid I got back $1 for buying it! So I made $1!! :)

CVS #1
Accu-Chek: $19.99
Sale: $9.99
Minus $9.99 Q
FREE!

CVS #2
2 Accu-Chek: $39.98
Sale: $9.99 each
Minus (2) $9.99 Q
FREE!
(I had to do 2 transactions per coupon wording)

Rite Aid:
Accu-Chek: $19.99
Sale: $9.99
Minus $10 Q
FREE!
Received $1 +UP Reward:

Total Worth: $79.96
Total Spent: NOTHING!! And received $1 back!

While at CVS I scanned my card and out popped a $3 coupon off ANY Nexxus Shampoo so I grabbed a travel size shampoo for $3.19 and only had to pay $.19 for it! :)

Target Clearance: Olay Pro-X Moisterizer!

As I was at Target picking up some groceries I decided to swing by and look at the clearance, and as always I was not disappointed!

I found some Olay Pro-X face moisturizer on clearance for $7.54!! Those are normally $29.99 each!

So here is the breakdown:

4 Olay Pro-X Moisturizer: $29.99 each- $119.96
Clearance: $7.54 each- $30.16
Minus (4) $5/1 Q (P&G 7/29)
Total: $2.54 each- $10.16

I saved $109.80 today!!! :)

AND I'll be able to submit my receipt in for the Olay $10 Rebate that is going on now!
So I'll end up only paying $.16 for $119.96 worth of face Moisterizer!

I have been DESPERATE for some face moisturizer so I am super excited about this! :)